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It was Christmas Eve again in Hawaii, 2025.
Another year had passed, but some things never changed—sunlight spilling through the lanai, the ocean breathing steadily in the distance, and Danny Williams pretending he was perfectly fine. Every year he had felt anxious right before Steve left to visit Mary on the mainland for Christmas. It had become a yearly thing. Last year Danny felt like his heart could barely take it. Being away from Steve he felt naked, alone. Steve was his touchstone. But this year Danny was starting to feel the time differently. Heavier, sharper. The years had added worry lines, a little stiffness in his joints, and a deeper ache when Steve had to leave for the holidays. Steve had even asked Danny to go with him these past couple years. But Danny always said he’d feel like a third wheel. And his anxiety had gotten the best of him. And maybe he thought one of these years Steve would stay with him so they could spend the holidays together. Maybe just the two of them. But every year Steve would leave to go visit Mary. And Danny felt left behind.
Steve McGarrett stood in his bedroom, suitcase open on the bed. Neatly folded shirts. Board shorts he probably wouldn’t wear. He still couldn’t believe he had kept the 5-0 running all these years. It was successful. Why would he change anything now? But with him and Danny both turning 49 this year, reality was hitting him. He knew he couldn’t run the 5-0 forever.
Danny lingered in the doorway, arms crossed, jaw tight, trying not to look like a kid watching his favorite toy get boxed up.
“So,” Danny said, forcing brightness into his voice. “You got everything? Ticket? That weird protein powder you swear isn’t sawdust?”
Steve smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yeah. I got it all.”
Mary had called three weeks earlier. Said she missed him and wanted him to stay longer this time. Three months on the mainland, she asked him and he had reluctantly agreed. Time to slow down. Time to breathe. The only thing was. He wasn’t sure if he could be away from Danny for that long. He worried so much about Danny while he was gone. Probably more than Danny knew.
Danny followed Steve out to the truck, the air heavy with things neither of them were saying.
They drove to the airport with tension in the air. The kind that pressed against the chest.
You’ll be okay,” Steve said gently as he gripped the steering wheel.
Danny scoffed. “You always say that.”
“And you always prove me right.”
At the airport, they stood awkwardly near the curb like they had for the past few years, the goodbye stretching longer than it needed to.
“You’ll call,” Danny said.
“Of course.”
“And text.”
“Danny—”
Steve studied him for a long moment. “You okay?”
Danny nodded too fast. “Yeah. I’m good. Totally good. Thriving, even” he said sarcastically.
Steve reached into his bag and pulled out a small box wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper. He handed it to Danny.
“Open it later,” Steve said quietly.
Danny frowned. “You giving me a present before you leave now? I didn’t get you anything.” He said as he moved his arms in that Danny way.
Steve smiled softly. “You don’t ever have to get me anything, Danny. You’ve given 5-0 the best years of your life. I couldn’t ask for anything more”
“Well when you put it that way…” Danny smiled, shrugged and they both laughed.
Steve pulled him into a hug—tight, grounding, familiar. Danny’s hands curled into the fabric of Steve’s jacket before he could stop himself.
“Merry Christmas, Danno.” Steve said almost softly as he hesitantly pulled away.
“Merry Christmas.”
Danny watched him walk away, that familiar hollowness opening in his chest.
The plane doors closed. Steve sat by the window, looking out at the tarmac, at the place that had become home in ways he never expected.
He thought about the time he’d sat on a plane like this—years ago—ready to leave everything behind. And then Danny had texted him, “miss you already.” He’d almost gotten off the plane then. Almost listened to that pull in his chest.
Now he understood it.
Forty-nine years old. Close to fifty. Retirement wasn’t an abstract idea anymore. It was real. And for the first time, it scared him—not because he’d lose the badge, but because he might lose Danny.
If he stopped being a SEAL, a cop, a protector—would Danny still want to be near him? Would they drift apart?
The answer hit him hard and fast.
Danny wasn’t something he might lose someday.
Danny was the reason to stay. The reason he kept 5-0 going.
Steve unbuckled his seatbelt.
“I’m sorry,” he said to the stewardess, already standing. “I need to get off this plane.”
The McGarrett house was too quiet.
Danny kicked off his shoes and wandered into the kitchen, the small wrapped box still clutched in his hand. He set it on the table and stared at it for a long moment before finally tearing the paper away and opening the box.
A mug.
White. Simple.
“World’s Best Dad” emblazoned on the front in red letters.
Danny’s breath hitched.
Charlie was with Rachel. Grace was away at college. The house was empty—again.
A broken laugh escaped him, followed by tears he didn’t bother wiping away.
“Damn you, Steve,” he muttered. “Why do you always leave me alone on Christmas?”
Just then the front door opened.
Danny froze.
Footsteps. Familiar ones.
“Danny?”
He looked up.
Steve stood there, eyes bright, chest rising and falling like he’d run the whole way.
Danny shot to his feet so fast his chair scraped loudly across the floor.
“…Steve?” He walked fast toward him. Now they stood only separated by a couple feet.
Steve swallowed. “I got off the plane.”
Danny’s heart slammed against his ribs.
“I sat down. Buckled in. Did the whole thing. Tried to do what I thought I was supposed to do,” Steve said almost panting, taking a step closer. “But it didn’t feel right.”
He gestured vaguely behind him. “Mary wanted me to stay. Three months. And all I could think was—I can’t be without my Danno that long.”
Danny shook his head in disbelief. “You’re serious.”
“I am.” Steve’s voice softened. “I love you, Danny. I’ve loved you for a long time now. I just… don’t know how to say it. I never knew how to say it.”
Danny took two steps and grabbed Steve’s jacket, pressing his forehead against Steve’s chest.
“I love you too,” he whispered. “I love you so much Steve.”
Steve cupped Danny’s face, thumbs brushing away Danny’s tears.
“You’ve been crying?” Steve asked with concern in his voice.
“I’m better now.” Danny said smiling.
They stayed like that for a moment—breathing together.
Then Steve leaned in.
The kiss was tentative at first. Soft. Almost careful.
Then Danny kissed him back.
Years of unspoken things settled into place—every argument, every goodbye, every night spent worrying if the other would come home.
Steve rested his forehead against Danny’s. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Danny laughed through tears. “Good. Because I don’t think I could handle it.”
Outside, the waves crashed steadily against the shore.
This year for Christmas, no one was left behind.